Elevators

Mission Statement

The Elevator Safety Division is responsible for implementing the Elevator Safety and Regulation Act through the registration, inspection, and certification of conveyances, and the licensing of contractors, mechanics, inspectors, inspection companies and apprentices. The Division assures that conveyances are correctly and safely installed and operated within the State of Illinois outside the City of Chicago by regulating the design, installation, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration and repair of elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving sidewalks, platform lifts, stairway lifts and automated people movers in accordance with all applicable statutes and rules.

Online Payments

You can now pay registration and certificate of operation fees online through the State of Illinois eCommerce site.

On February 19th 2015, revisions to the Illinois Elevator Safety Rules (41 Il.Admin.Code 1000) reflecting prior amendments to the Elevator Safety and Regulation Act ("Act") will become effective as State law. Recent changes to the Act include both an extension of the Act's sunset date (to 2023) and an accelerated compliance deadline for the upgrade requirements to the restricted opening of hoistway or passenger elevator doors (now January 1, 2014). The revised Rules reflect historic changes to the Act by, among other things, adopting a new technology performance code (ASME A17.7), clarifying the duties and powers of the Local Administrator, updating Permit and Certificate fees, articulating procedures for the inspection and repair of non-compliant conveyances, and addressing the retention of conveyance-related documents by property owners, licensed conveyance inspection companies, and licensed conveyance contractors. The text of the revised Rules can be found at

Public Act 92-0873, cited as the Elevator Safety and Regulation Act, was approved by the Illinois General Assembly in order to provide for public safety and awareness in relation to conveyances located within the State of Illinois. This Act was amended as of 7/23/09 (Public Act 96-0054) and on 8/11/09 (Public Act 96-0342). This Act was once again amended on 8/11/11 (Public Act 097-0310) to allow certain conveyances located in certain churches, synagogues or other buildings, structures, or places used primarily for religious worship to renew certificates of operation every 3 years (triennial basis) rather than on an annual basis (see Certificates of Operation below). The full text of this and all other legislation can be found on the "Statutes and Rules" page listed below.

The Act requires that the design, construction, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair of elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving sidewalks, platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, and automated people conveyances be in accordance with all applicable statutes and rules. As mandated by the Act, no person shall erect, construct, wire, alter, replace, maintain, remove, dismantle, or inspect any conveyance contained within buildings or structures without possessing the proper license.

Notice to Conveyance Owners

It has come to the attention of the Elevator Safety Division that conveyance owners are not being made aware of the various options they have to meet the new code requirements. And, that some companies are submitting proposals for work that does not need to be done.

The Elevator Safety Division recommends that a conveyance owner obtain several quotes from different elevator companies for any work that is required. Then, have these proposals reviewed by your licensed elevator inspector to verify that the work and upgrades proposed are actually necessary.

Another option is to contact and employ an elevator consultant. The consultant will manage the project and ensure that only the work and upgrades necessary are performed by the company and at the best price.

Attached to this Notice is a list of all licensed elevator contractors that are licensed to perform work in this State. In addition, the Elevator Safety Division is available to answer any question you might have or assist you with information on code updates.

Certificates of Operation

Public Act 097-0310 enacted on 8/11/11 states in part:

A certificate of operation is renewable annually, except that a certificate of operation is renewable every 3 years for a conveyance :

That is located in a building owned and occupied by any church, synagogue, or other building, structure, or place used primarily for religious worship and is the only conveyance in the building

That is under the jurisdiction of the Administrator,

That is limited in use to 2 levels, and

For which the church, synagogue, or other building, structure, or place used primarily for religious worship has an annual maintenance examination that includes the applicable category tests.

For these occupancies, on-site witnessing of the category test shall be witnessed every 3 years. Records of the applicable maintenance checks and elevator category test results shall be maintained on-site by the building owner.